The shortfall, expected to last into January, amounts to between 500
and 1,000 tonnes, said Tine, Norway's main dairy company, while online
sellers have offered 500-gramme packs for up to 350 euros ($465).

The dire shortage poses a serious challenge for Norwegians who are
trying to finish their traditional Christmas baking -- a task which
usually requires them to make at least seven different kinds of
biscuits.

The shortfall has been blamed on a rainy summer that cut into feed
production and therefore dairy output, but also the ballooning
popularity of a low-carbohydrate, fat-rich diet that has sent demand for
butter soaring.